From the 
Michigan 
Pioneer and 
Historical 
Society 


(^ttHxn^ 


To the 
Educators of 
Michigan 



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TiMP96-j07429 




CLARENCE M. BURTON. DETROIT, PRESIDENT. 
Henry R. PATTENGILL, Lansing, Secretary. 
BENJAMIN F. DAVIS, Lansing, Treasurer. 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 

DANIEL McCoy, Grand rapids. 

MARY C. Spencer, Lansing. 

George H. Cannon, Washington. 




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sToU^RI^ PENjr5Ul.AMAMCENfly\ , ^^ 



Committee of Historians 

L. D. WATKINS, Manchester. 
JUDGE Edward CAHILL, Lansing. 
E W. BARBER. Jackson. 
Peter White, Marquette. 
JUNIUS E. BEAL, As 




A CORNER OF THE MUSEUM SHOWING THE PATRICK HENRY DESK AND CHAIRS 
OF TERRITORIAL GOVERNORS. 




CAPT. JOSEPH F. MARSAC, BAY CITY. 
Interpreter at Cass Treaty, 1819, 



History of the Society 

The Historical Society ot Michigan was organized in 
Detroit in 1828, and Lewis Cass was elected the first presi- 
dent and retained the oftlce for some years. Papers of 
historic value were read, and afterwards printed, by such 
noted persons as Gov. Lewis Cass, Henry R. Schoolcraft, 
Maj. Henry Whiting, Maj. John Biddle, and others. These 
individuals outgrew the confines ot their own state in ability 
and influence and were called to assist the National Govern- 
ment in different capacities. The Society languished and 
died after their removal. 

About 1853 vigorous efforts were made to resurrect the 
organization and much was accomplished by Judges Witherell 
and Walker, but few it any of their papers were preserved. 
In 1871 the Pioneer Society of Detroit, was properly launched, 
and in the winter of 1873 it received an appropriation from 
the legislature for publishing its manuscripts. In 1874 it 
took the name of Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society. 



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State Gives Books to Schools 

Arrangements were perfected by which each school 
library in the State could receive gratuitously the annual 



books. At the present time there have been issued M 
volumes which can be obtained by any school library having 
100 books of their own, upon application to Mrs. Mary C. 
Spencer, State Librarian. We urge upon the teachers more 
frequent study of and reference to the books. Much valuable 
information, particularly regarding the settlement and history 
of Michigan, is to be found in them. 

Pioneer Day 

We request the universal observance of Pioneer Day. The 
responsibility of the teacher towards all reforms is formidable if 
not appalling. Yet to them must we look for the proper cele- 
bration of this day — a memorial service to the pioneers who 
made our present Michigan possible. Gloster never depicted 
to his blind father a greater gulf than the one lying between 
the child of today and the settlers of the Peninsular State. 
How are we to bridge this chasm? The stories heard and 
studied of privations, sacrifices, sorrows and triumphs ex- 
perienced by the old people of your vicinity make a strong 
union with the progress and culture of pupils of today, and 
obtainable in no other way. Let this subject appeal to you 
as a duty by which you can discharge the debt you too owe 
the heroes of blazed trails and heroines of wheel and loom. 
The Department of Public Instruction, one of our strongest 
supporters, suggests topics, but you alone can put heart in 
this work and inspire the young with the reverence so largely 
lacking today among young Americans. Give reports of these 
anniversaries to the Department or the Moderator. Encourage 



the habit in your pupils of gathering- and reporting local 
historic events in your current topics times in school, and 
forwarding the choicest items to the State Society. 



SS^ 38> 



John D. Pierce Memorial 

It is not presumptions to ask you to remember the pledge 
given in your name by the Society last year of a memorial 
in the Capital City to Father Pierce. Few counties so far 
have responded. We did not remind you ot the education 
you obtained in the public schools, or of the well deserved 
income it has afforded you, and the obligation you thus in- 
directly owe this cause, but requested the small sum of 
ten cents per capita to place, in the hall of fame we hope 
to rear, a testimonial to the pioneer of education — upon whose 
noble foundation you are building today— surely no second 
call should ever be needed, but duty and pride should 
inspire you to honor yourselves in this tribute you thus pay 
to this prophet and priest of learning. Add a nickle to your 
gift for some teacher we shall be unable to reach. 



State Museum 

Sug-gest to your pupils the value of the State Museum, 
and what it would mean it each grade in the school would 
add one historic relic. 



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Manual Trainingr 

As we attempt to picture to the young the life of the 
early settlers, so we also desire to demonstrate to the self- 
satisfied pioneers that the old days are not the only days, 
and through exhibits sent by the several schools of manual 
training and domestic science point the pioneers to the 
practical, altruistic education now offered. We desire there- 
fore a choice loan, to be replaced every two years, from 
your best manual training exhibits. 



Greetinofs 



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We congratulate you on the record you have assisted 
Michigan in making, hi pioneer days the blockhouses were 
places of refuge from dangerous foes. These have been re- 
placed by school houses devoted to rearing of citizens, and 
these peace victories are as dear and sacred as those of 
Bunker Hill and Gettysburg. If we can secure you as our 
allies it means advance and success in our work, and better 
justice to our great State. 

Count this Society as one of the best channels for en- 
couraging patriotism, and aid in every plan to pay tribute 
to the grand past opening towards our golden future. 

Henry R. Pattengill, Secretary. 
Lansing, December, 190^. 



1 TRRftRY OF CONGRESS 

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